My Chronic Life

Remember getting those back check ups as a child and teenager, where you bent over and a doctor would feel your spine? He or she was checking for Scoliosis. These types of screenings have helped improve the number of diagnoses of this spinal disorder allowing for treatment at an early age.

According to the National Scoliosis Foundation about 6 million people in the United States have a diagnosis of Scoliosis. Most people have a mild curvature of the spine (under 20 degrees). They do not usually require treatment expect for pain and physical therapy to learn how to strengthen the stomach and back muscles and to improve posture.

Screening should continue on a life long basis for any form of Scoliosis be it mild, moderate or severe. The amount of time between screenings depends on the many factors including the severity of the pain and the involvement of other parts of the body. For example a person who has a curvature that is less than 20 degrees and has no other problems may only require screening every five years. A person with 40% curvature who has had surgery may require yearly screening.

Many people, my daughter included have mild Scoliosis and live normal and healthy lives. They may need pain medications if they use their muscles the wrong way, sit on some hard teak furniture or stop doing their prescribed exercises. But other than that, there is normally no problem.